BSc in Business Information Technology Incl Professional Experience Queen's University Belfast

Much of today's business operates in a dynamic, fast-paced and technologically advanced environment. With the future of business looking set to rely even more heavily on technology. Companies require talented individuals who can bridge the gap between business management and technology, forge new connections and foster continuing innovation in their industries.

Studying Business Information Technology at Queen’s gives you a sound knowledge of information technology fundamentals and their application in business. Additionally, this course provides a firm foundation in business management. Delivered in partnership with Queen's Management School (QMS) this allows our graduates to address a growing global need for capable and confident leaders in varied business environments.

Belfast is uniquely placed to offer opportunities for Business Information Technology graduates. There are more software companies located in Northern Ireland than in any other part of the UK, outside of London. Additionally, Queen’s University has links with businesses across the globe, including over 500 local, national and international IT companies. Employer experience is embedded into this course and allows students to engage and learn from prospective employers from day one.

Business Information Technology Incl Professional Experience Degree Highlights

Belfast in the world’s top 10 Digital Economies of the Future - the only UK city outside London to be listed (Financial Times’ fDi Intelligence, 2018)

Career Development

• Students taking this programme may spend a year gaining professional experience in industry in a paid full-time post. Students are helped to obtain suitable places and the School has excellent links with over 500 local, national and international employers such as Citi, BT, Liberty IT, and Kainos in Belfast, IBM in England, Microsoft and Sun Microsystems in Dublin, Fujitsu in Japan and Siemens in Germany.

World Class Facilities

• The School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science has a world-class reputation for research and provides excellent facilities, including access to major new research centres in Secure Information Technologies (CSIT), Electronics, Communications and Information Technology (ECIT) and Sonic Arts (SARC).

Internationally Renowned Experts

• Many of our staff are leading international experts in their fields of research. Queen’s is one of the 24 world-class universities that make up the Russell Group in the United Kingdom, and is the only Russell Group University in Northern Ireland.

Course Structure

Introduction

The Single Honours Business Information Technology degree comprises compulsory modules together with optional modules.

Due to the nature of change in the IT Industry it may be that the modules will be changed to keep up with industrial trends.

Stage 1

May include topics such as :

• Accounting
• Databases
• Organisational Behaviour
• Fundamentals of Programming
• An Introduction to Economics
• Business, Government and Society
• Marketing

Stage 2

• May include topics such as:-
• Professional Computing Practice
• Software Development, Processes and Practice
• Information Management
• User Experience Design
• Operations Management
• International Business
• Human Resource Management
• Data Statistics
• Leading for Change

Stage 3

• Year of Professional Experience

Stage 4

• May include topics such as:-
• Working on a Project
• Information Systems in Organisations
• Supply Chain Management
• Business Ethics
• Innovation Management
• Public Sector Management
• Strategic Management
• Information Policy
• Customer Behaviour
• Data Analysis and Visualisation
• Network Security

Learning and Teaching

The BSc in Business Information Technology including Professional Experience is a shared programme with Queen's Management School and provides a range of learning experiences which enable students to engage with subject experts, develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society and make use of innovative technologies and a world class library that enhances their development as independent, lifelong learners. Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this course are:

E-Learning technologies

Information associated with lectures and assignments is often communicated via a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Queen’s Online. A range of e-learning experiences are also embedded in the degree through, for example: interactive group workshops in a flexible learning space; IT and statistics modules; podcasts and interactive web-based learning activities; opportunities to use IT programmes associated with design in practicals and project- based work etc.

Lectures

Introduce basic information about new topics as a starting point for further self-directed private study/reading. Lectures also provide opportunities to ask questions, gain some feedback and advice on assessments (normally delivered in large groups to all year group peers).

Personal Tutor

Undergraduates are allocated a Personal Tutor during Stages 1 and 2 who meets with them on several occasions during the year to support their academic development.

Practicals

Where you will have significant opportunities to develop technical skills and apply theoretical principles to real-life or practical contexts. Comprehensive demonstrator support is provided – typically one demonstrator per 8-10 students. You will be expected to attend a number of practicals each week.

Projects and teamwork

A number of modules throughout the degree will use supervised projects as a means of enabling you to put your technical understanding into practice. The extensive use of team based projects from first year will provide you with the opportunity to develop skills widely used by employers. In final year, you will be expected to carry out a significant piece of research on a topic or practical methodology. You will receive support from a supervisor who will guide you in terms of how to carry out your research and will provide feedback to you.

Self-directed study

This is an essential part of life as a Queen’s student when important private reading, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on feedback to date and assignment research and preparation work is carried out.

Seminars/tutorials

A number of modules will make use of seminars/tutorials (typically 10-20 students). These provide an opportunity for students to engage with academic staff who have specialist knowledge of the topic, to ask questions of them and to assess their own progress and understanding with the support of peers. You should also expect to make presentations and other contributions to these groups.

Work placements

A student taking this programme is required to spend a year gaining professional experience in industry in a paid full-time post. Students are helped to obtain suitable places and the School has excellent links with over 500 local, national and international employers such as Microsoft, Liberty IT, Kainos, IBM,Deloitte, BT, Citi Group, SAP and Dell. It is expected that students will gain a Licentiateship of the City and Guilds from this period of work experience.

More than ever, there is a real need for skilled managers in the contemporary, technology driven environment. Those managers will be required to have an understanding of the fundamental principles of Computer Science, Information Technology and Management with an emphasis on application of advanced information technology in a business environment. Employers, from large multinational firms to small local organisations, actively target our students, recognising that Queen's Business Information Technology graduates are equipped with the skills they need. Even with the recession, current industry analysis indicates that there is a shortage of IT graduates and this trend is forecast to continue.

On graduating with an Honours degree and a year's experience, graduates are able to choose from a host of rewarding and challenging careers in industry, commerce, education and research. Many graduates take up posts associated with management and finance working in contemporary, technology driven environments, while others undertake research.